Solved Repeated BSOD (0x000000F4) after installing new components

[jks05]

I recently installed a new mobo, cpu, gpu, ram, and psu into my computer. I got everything working for around 2 hours until the system crash in WoW. After that, the system will generally load windows, but restart right before it can get the desktop. If it does get to the desktop, it will BSOD in the normal windows environment or safe mode within a few minutes. It will BSOD faster in the normal environment (couple of seconds) than in safe mode (couple of minutes).

The EVGA motherboard has an led indicator on it that can display error codes on it, which it is not displaying any. So, I don't think the hardware is the problem. Currently, I can still see the SSD and HDD in BIOS.

I am unsure what to do as the computer crashes before I can do anything. I could only grab the minidump files before it BSOD on me again. I realize it could be problem with the SSD, but I would like to figure out the problem before I lose the data on that drive.

Thanks for the help!

System specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770k
Mobo: EVGA 131-IB-E695-KR Z75 SLI LGA 1155 Intel Z75 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 TI
RAM: 4X4GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 Mhz
SSD: 128 GB OCZ Agility
HDD: 1.5 TB Seagate

 

[koolkat77]

Welcome

Is the firmware for the SSD up to date?

 

[jks05]

Thanks for the response.

Most likely not.

I can't tell the firmware version from the POST or BIOS, and OCZ's tech support only recommends flashing from the previous version.

I was able to get into Windows for a couple minutes yesterday and today, but didn't get a chance to check the firmware version before it started BSOD'ing me as soon as Safe Mode or Windows loaded.

 

[essenbe]

jks05, Welcome. First I'd like to ask some questions. Is all the hardware here new? Do you have an extra hard drive we could test With. From your description, it sounds as though you can POST with no problem. Can you go into BIOS and set optimized defaults and see if that helps, just set defaults, set the frequency, timings and voltage for your ram and set the sata mode as it is right now and the boot order. See if it is any better after that. I'm not familiar with the Z75 chipset, if you have a tweaking or overclocking section, that is where most of the frequency and voltage settings are. When you set the boot order, set the DVD drive as first boot device and the SSD as the second boot device. Also, I am assuming you have access to another computer, as you are talking to us now.

 

[jks05]

I was able to confirm the firm ware version of SSD. The current firm ware is 1.5 when the current version is 1.7. Also, I was able to transfer off all the files I wanted to save from my SSD to the HDD.

Yes, I am posting from my MBP. Most of the hardware is new. The Mobo, CPU, RAM, GPU, and PSU are all new, while the case, HDD, SSD, Blu-ray drive are around 3 years old. I don't have another SATA HDD lying around. I did have one concern when assembling it and that is I applied too much thermal paste. However, the mobo is showing temps around 28 to 35 for the CPU, and I doubt that is the issue.

I did set the optimal defaults, and it didn't seem to do much. Neither did changing the boot order to put the Blu-ray drive ahead of the SSD. I don't know much about the voltage setting, but everything was set to their defaults. The only curious thing I caught in the BIOS was that the memory was set to 1333 MHz when the memory, mobo, and cpu all support 1600 MHz.

It also seems to be able to boot to windows for around 5 to 10 minutes after the computer has been off for several hours. I don't know what is causing this. Successive reboots result in more resets or BSODs after the first BSOD during that particular session.

 

[essenbe]

Lets try this first. It's quite a long test. Download and burn to dvd or flash drive memtest86+. Here is the tutorial. Run it for a full 7 passes or until you see errors. If you see errors, stop the test (hit escape).http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html It is best to run overnight. It can take 10 hours or so. It runs in ram, not the os, so that will not be a problem, just boot from the CD you install it on. Get the ISO file.

 

[DevoDave]

Try to keep your build as simple as possible. Remove your graphics card and use the built in one instead. Leave in 1 stick of memory. disconnect anything you don't really need. This will help isolate problem devices and or power supply issues. then load bios defaults. if you still have issues then you can trace them down a little easier. What ever you do, do not try to update any firmware or bios on an unstable system unless you wanna brick your motherboard or ssd. if the system is stable boot to windows and download any updates and device drivers. By the way did you do a clean install after adding all these new components?

Good Luck!

 

[essenbe]

When you built the new rig, did you do a clean install of Windows 7? Where did you buy the DVD for the installation?

 

[ganjiry]

Just out of curiosity when you installed all your new components, Did you do a fresh install of windows or just take your HDD from one motherboard to the other?

Edit. did'nt se your last post Essenbe

 

[Pauly]

Something isnt adding up here you have attached a dump file from 2010
View attachment 248074
And you have some real old drivers on there
View attachment 248075
To old for a new system ?

 

[essenbe]

Guys, with an answer from my last post, hopefully all those questions will be answered. I asked it because with the problems the new system is having, that is a very good possibility. And if my suspicions are correct, could be the root cause of his issues.

 

[Pauly]

Yes think your right looks like an imported install on different hardware

 

[jks05]

Thanks for the replies.

I did not do a clean install of Windows 7. I believe I got the copy from Frys or Newegg.

Thats what I got when grabbed the mini dump file. I didn't have enough time to run the program from these forum before the computer BSOD's me.

Should I run Memtest or re-install Windows first?

 

[Pauly]

This is important please answer this clearly

After you built your computer did you install a fresh copy of windows on your new hardware or did you just put a hard drive from your old computer or another machine in there because you have files that are years old in your logs and they should not be there!

 

[jks05]

I first build this computer around 3 years ago. It was a fresh install of windows then on all new hardware.

I recently had problems with it, and ended up replacing majority of the parts. The GPU, CPU, Mobo, PSU, and RAM were replaced. I kept using the case, SSD, HDD, Blu-ray, and hyrdo cooler from the rig.

 

[Pauly]

Then that is probably your problem, did you run sysprep or anything before you moved to new hardware ?
Otherwise windows has installed and auto loaded software/drivers for old hardware then you matched it up with different kit it wont understand

 

[essenbe]

You should do a clean install and see if your problems are solved. Reading between the lines of what you are saying, you did not do a clean install after the build. The old mini dump would not have bee there if you did. The most likely cause of your problems, at this point is you are trying to run new hardware on the drivers from the older hardware. It will never work. First, go to your motherboards web site and download all the latest drivers for your board and save them to a USB flash drive, Go to Nvidia's web site and download the correct drivers for your video card. After the install, let windows install all the updates it can find. Once they download drivers and you reboot, go back to Windows update and click, check for new updates. Keep doing this until it does not find anymore updates. Download and install Microsoft security essential's. I suspect you will have a different experience with your installation then. If you have any questions, ask we will be glad to answer them.

 

[jks05]

Reinstalling windows seems to have fixed it.

Thanks guys.

 

[essenbe]

Great, glad you have it running right. Let us know if you have any further problems. Good job.

 

[Pauly]

Glad to hear you got it sorted mate